line up 1 (1958-)

- Marlin Greene -- vocals, guitar

  supporting musicians: (1972)

- Barry Beckett -- keyboards

- Jeanie Greene -- keyboards

- Roger Hawkins -- drums, percussion

- Eddie Hinton -- guitar

- David Hood -- bass

- Larry (Gimmer) Nicholson -- guitar

- Leo La Blanc -- pedal steel guitar

- Chuck Leavell -- keyboards

- Jerry Masters -- bass

- Lou Mullenix -- drums, percussion

- Wayne Perkins -- guitars

- Fred Prouty -- drums, percussion

- The Alabama State Troupers

- Jeanie Greene (wife)

- The Mark V

- Mount Zion Singers

Genre: country-rock

Rating: *** 3 stars

Title: Tiptoe Past the Dragon

Company: Elektra

Catalog: EKS-75028
Year: 1972

Country/State: Town Creek, Alabama

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: I

Available: 1

Catalog ID: includes lyric sheet insert

Price: $25.00

I've always considered myself to be a big '60s and '70s soul fan so I was acquainted with the name Marlin Greene.  Most folks who've heard the name are going to identify him with Quin Ivy - the pair wrote "When a Man Loves a Woman" for the late Percy Sledge.  That may be his biggest commercial success but Greene's written with scores of collaborators including wife Jeannie Greene, Eddie Hinton and Dan Penn.  On the other side of the boards, he has a long list of credits as a producer. Add to that, starting in the mid-'50s he'd recorded a string of eight singles across five labels.  And here's the funny thing ...  I never knew Greene was a young, white guy from the small hamlet of Town Creek, Alabama. Shoot,  I didn't even know he started his career as a pop singer.

Presumably based on the attention garnered by his work with the Alabama State Troopers and their  1972 album "The Alabama State Troupers Road Show", Greene found himself following wife Jeannie Greene (also an Alabama State Troupers alumni) signing a solo contract with Jac Holzman's Elektra Records.  Certainly nothing more than coincidence, but Elektra had been the home of The Alabama State Troupers.. Produced and largely written by Greene, 1972s "Tiptoe Past the Dragon" showcased a mixture of country and country-rock tunes that were in keeping with the general feel of The Alabama State Troopers' eponymous album.  Imagine a slightly softer, more commercial collaboration between Delaney and Bonnie album (without Bonnie) and Roy Orbison and you'd get a feel for the collection's distinctly Southern mixture of country, country-rock and pop moves.  Backed by the cream of Muscle Shoals "Swampers" (keyboardist Barry Beckett, drummer Roger Hawkins, guitarist Eddie Hinton and bassist David Hood) the album wasn't bad.  Exhibited on tracks like "Masquerade Ball", "Forest Ranger" and "Good Christian Cowboy"  Greene had a knack for penning a catchy hook.  He also owned a nice, commercial voice that occasionally reminded me of Orbison.  On the ballad "Fields of Clover" he recalled a Southern version of Neil Young.  The atypical full-tiled rocker "Ponce De Leon" actually sounded like a Leon Russell tune.  While there may not have been a top-40 hit on the album ("Gemini Gypsy" and "Who's The Captain Of Your Ship Of Dreams" came close), it was still worth a listen. In fact, it's one of those albums that's gotten better over the years.  There's a certain easy-going charm that is missing from so much music.  Nevertheless, based on Greene's earlier soul successes, I was hoping to hear a collection leaning more towards blue-eyed soul.  Shame he never got a shot at recording a follow-on album.

"Tiptoe Past the Dragon" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Grand Illusion (Marlin Greene) - 2:58 rating: *** stars

As mentioned, one of the big draws to this album was Greene's clear, fragile voice.  He would have sounded great working with a '70s country-rock band like Firefall, The Flying Burrito Brothers, or Poco.  The sweet ballad "Grand Illusion" was a nice introduction to his low-keyed sound.  Darn, if it wasn't a world away from his soul-oriented catalog.  Wife Jeanie Greene provided the "toy piano" accompaniment.

2.) Masquerade Ball (Marlin Greene) - 2:56 rating: **** stars 

A bouncy, highly melodic acoustic twelve string guitar powered ballad, "Masquerade Ball' was one of the album's catchiest and most commercial offerings.  If Poco could have a top-40 pop hit then there was no reason this couldn't have charted.

3.) Jonathan's Dream (Marlin Greene) - 2:11  rating: *** stars

Opening with the sound of seagulls, breaking waves and electric piano, the instrumental "Jonathan's Dream" would have made a nice piece of music for a movie soundtrack - picture the hero and his dog strolling down a California beach.  There's kind of a new age vibe to this one - imagine your grandparents when they were seeking inner enlightenment via Werner Erhard and Est, or Lex Hixon's Inner Directions.  The song also appeared as the "B" side on his "Forest Ranger" 45.

4.) My Country Breakdown (Marlin Greene) - 2:12 rating: ** stars

Simply too country for my tastes and Greene's nasally delivery wasn't something I found enjoyable.

5.) Forest Ranger (Marlin Greene) - 3:03 rating: **** stars

Normally a touchy-feely, pedal steel guitar propelled country ballad like "Forest Ranger" wouldn't do much for me, but "Forest Ranger" was a nice showcase for Greene's fragile voice and sweet lyrics.  This one wouldn't have sounded bad on a Firefall album. Elektra tapped the track as a promotional 45:

- 1972's "Forest Ranger" b/w "Jonathan's Dream" (Elektra catalog number EK-45790)

6.) Gemini Gypsy (Marlin Greene) - 3:13 rating: **** stars

Complete with '70s "mystic" lyrics, the bouncy  "Gemini Gypsy" was side one's most mainstream oriented tune. Always loved the cheesy keyboards and the tasty acoustic guitar solo on this one.

(side 2)
1.) Ponce De Leon (Marlin Greene) - 2:54 rating: **** stars 

Greene had worked with Leon Russell and it shows on "Ponce De Leon".  Not only does the keyboard powered rocker recall prime Russell, but Greene even manages to mimic Russell's unique vocals.  One of the album highlights and would have been a better choice as a single than "Forest Ranger".

2.) Who's The Captain Of Your Ship Of Dreams (Marlin Greene) - 3:29 rating: **** stars  

My favorite performance, the dark rocker "Who's The Captain Of Your Ship Of Dreams" sported the album's most memorable melody with some glistening backing vocals.

3.) Fields Of Clover (Marlin Greene - Wayne Perkins) -  7:22 rating: **** stars 

One of two track co-written with guitarist Wayne Perkins, the laconic ballad "Fields of Clover" would not have sounded out of place on an early Neil Young solo album.  Replace the Canadian setting with rural Alabama and you'll get a feel for the song's pretty singer-songwriter feeling.  Yeah, the idealized view of Southern life is nothing more than a fantasy, but it's a sweet thought.  One of those rare performances where  pedal steel guitar (Leo La Blanc) actually improves the song.

4.) Good Christian Cowboy  (Marlin Greene - Wayne Perkins) - 2:56 rating: *** stars

Nah, this wasn't a "Christian" album., but as you'd expect from any righteous Southern man, the collection wasn't without at least one nod to faith.  I've always debated whether "Good Christian Cowboy" was tongue-in-cheek, or a sincere nod to his faith.  Guess it ultimately didn't matter.  A breezy country flavored tune, this one would have sounded out of place on an early Jimmy Buffett, or Poco album.  Sweet harmonies and you even got to hear Greene take a stab at yodeling.

5.) Tiptoe Past The Dragon (Marlin Greene) - 1:15 rating: *** stars

Like the previous song, the brief title track seemed to have a non-secular tinge focusing on the dangers awaiting all of us when the time comes to pay one's debts in front of the pearly gates.  Opening up with what sounded like a toy keyboard the tune had a cool, sort of "spooky" vibe. I've always wondered why it was so short.

 © Scott R. Blackerby October 2025